Chapter 135 - New power

Cha Hae-in said those words yet felt regretting it for some reason. She doesn't know what her feelings are considering she never had any relationship before especially now that she is an S Rank Hunter it made it difficult to find someone without the pressure weighing on them. 

Regardless, she understands that Ryuu's relationship was not normal and shouldn't be allowed. It was unfair to the women around him who all have this false sense of affection for him. 

Unfortunately everything was genuine as the [ Essence Of Harem Protagonist ]  won't even activate unless the two people have mutual attraction and is nothing more than a tool to make maintaining him easier. It's no different than having money. 

"Well, who said we need to end up together? Our date can determine our relationship. Not to mention, it at least helps strengthen our bond as possible associates if you do wish to join my guild."

Ryuu spoke in a formal tone different from his laid back one, surprising Cha Hae-in who thought about his words more and found that he was right. They didn't need to end up in a relationship and can treat it as an interview in joining his guild if she ever chooses to. 

Though she is already weighing on the decision of joining with them. they're guild can provide something other can't, a way to get stronger. 

"...I guess you're right."

"Take your time to think about my offer. Remember, in the end it's up to you. Well, hope to see you soon."

He turned back to his others leaving Cha Hae-in alone with her thoughts. Ryuu met up with Justine who had her arms crossed.

"So did the PokeBall fail or was it a success?"

Justine teases him a bit seeing that they started to file up and become pokemon on Pokedex. It feels like in the future they'll end up shelf and forgotten at this rate. She may have to accept that her doubts and insecurities are completely gone. 

Ryuu just smirked, wrapping his arms around her waist pulling Justine closer into his chest. In the past, they were the same height since Ryuu growth development was messed up because of poverty but now he has gotten taller and much leaner. 

He can shapeshift his body in any form but even without it his body had grown significantly better because of his training in the Breathing style. 

"Does that make you my Pikachu?"

Justine blush before feeling his lips as their tongue coils around then departs with a trail left behind. 

"Not fair! We want some too!"

The two heard a voice turn to see Nezuko and the others making Justine push him a bit before they head back to the mansion to take a break. 

=========

Time passed, the group spent most of their time in Ryuu's [ Dimensional Training Room ] both to rest and train their newly acquired skills much quicker. Ryuu had discovered a few things about his new self strengthening skill and what he found is that the stronger the blood is, the more boost he acquired from the presence of blood. It only boosts him a small margin until reaching a certain limit unless the skill level up. 

Regardless, the skill does not include his own created blood and needs to be the enemy's own blood. 

If those blood came from normal cannon fodder enemies then the boost wouldn't be that noticeable but fighting some stronger makes the difference. 

His lovers meanwhile boosted in their skills and capabilities after their job change. Trese was able to move more silently in the shadow and control his shadow army like mere puppets while Shinobu's ability to make poison that wouldn't affect even her allies was now possible because of her [ Mana Control ] and grew connected with her Zanpakuto

Mitsuri, Alex, Cha Hae-in and Rias weren't the only ones who gained a superior as Shinobu's Breathing style had turned into a superior skill after her job change turning into the [ Poison Empress Katana Technique ]. That is capable of slicing through a General by surprise. 

If the three combine then they are capable of holding their own with an Marshal Rank but never defeat one for now. 

Justine usage of the [ Gilgamesh Gauntlet ] only amplified by her new job making her strength only below Marshal Rank but only their physical strength and not the overall combat power.

As for Nezuko and Kie, they hadn't developed any major changes besides Kie being able to cast more enchantment and increase her allies ability. She is also able to grow stronger if she's with a group of people while Nezuko gets stronger when riding Blue.

Erza didn't have any superior skills but acquired a Self-Enhancement when wielding a sword meaning that she is stronger when using a sword. On the other hand, Lucifer didn't even care what he got as I was irrelevant in her eyes.

Clang!

The sound of weapon clashing could be heard as far in the mountains within the [ Dimensional Training Room ] that had expanded thanks to Ryuu's using his points to upgrade it. He can now have a specific area to time dilute and has full control over the dimension.

Inside the mountains were Ryuu who was currently doing some experiment while the sound of clashing was Erza fighting Orok in order to make her stronger. She was obviously struggling as the strength of a Grand Marshall was at most below a Dragon God level in her world or around Acnologia level. 

This is all due to her world being sustained by Ethernano making it a much more durable and stronger Solo Leveling earth. In the original novel, it was said that the monarch and ruler had the power equal to planetary destruction if that world was not strengthened by mana.

Comparing two different worlds in power scale is difficult to pinpoint as law and variables change things. If anything the world has their own rank. 

If the monarchs ever find themselves in Draconic Deus then they're power would appear weaker because the world itself is a lot stronger with countless powerhouses and energy lingering. They're power would be at least Heavenly dragon or above. But then again this is just speculation. 

'I can't believe that I have to face this kind of being in the future. If weren't lucky or like Justine says, plot armor then we will end up dead!'

She tries to hide her anxiety and fear as much as possible but in truth she was afraid about everything and the burden of it. Erza may have shared some of it to her master but her doubts still lingers. 

'But if I can't get stronger then I won't be able to save my mother.'

Ryuu, who was watching from afar, observed her movement, noticing subtle changes and understood that her mind was occupied by something. He knew that Erza, despite how much she was portrayed to be a woman of power, was still just a person who had her fears and doubts. 

This is the same as the others but not so much. He also has his own doubt since the monarch can damage his soul permanently if he is careful. 

'I still have my Gacha today.'

[ You have acquired Soul Magic ]

Ryuu wasn't even surprised since his [ Intuition ] acts as a luck skill giving him some insight when to roll and when not to. The others also acquired some things from time to time but mostly aren't worth it. 

Is the system unfair? Yes. Ryuu has special privilege and can abuse it whenever he can but decides not to. 

'At this is going to be useful when killing those monarch and maybe even absorbed their essence without even using [ Rebellion ]'

He was planning on getting their essence and sharing it to the others, namely Antares giving his power to Rias later while the rest can be used later. He's not worried when he can copy it with his [ Hivemind ] later. 

Ryuu could already copy Rias [ Power of Destruction] by infecting her but decided not to. He doesn't infect those he views as allies or important to him. Moments later, he taps the description of the skills and checks what it could do.

[ Soul Magic ]

[ Description: Users can create, shape and manipulate the soul, the incorporeal and immortal essence of a living thing, souls are usually most obviously present in sentient beings. At some level all biological organisms have souls, and even non-biological entities (such as rivers and mountains) possess something that is analogous to a soul.

Most users have to learn to control their own soul first and expand from there, some may be able to learn how to tap into the essence of everything living. ]